1
: a plan or program of action
especially
: a crafty or secret one
2
: a systematic or organized configuration : design
color scheme
3
: a concise statement or table : epitome
4
a
: a graphic sketch or outline
b
archaic
(1)
: a mathematical or astronomical diagram
(2)
: a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time
schemed; scheming
: to form a scheme for
schemer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of scheme in a Sentence
Noun
a scheme to cheat people out of their money
The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage.
a scheme to improve the economy
the color scheme of a room
Verb
He felt that the other men were scheming against him.
He was betrayed by a scheming friend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
The Times has reported that in 2020 and 2021, the period when prosecutors say the money laundering scheme was underway, The Epoch Times donated $16 million to Shen Yun and a school that trains its performers.
—Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Smith has said politics played no part in his decisions and the evidence his team gathered was sufficient for Trump to have been convicted at trial on charges of scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scheme 
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Noun
The lawsuit alleged RealPage engaged in a collusion scheme with landlords that resulted in higher rent across the country.
—Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
The Times has reported that in 2020 and 2021, the period when prosecutors say the money laundering scheme was underway, The Epoch Times donated $16 million to Shen Yun and a school that trains its performers.
—Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
Spags did a masterful job of scheming against Buffalo’s fourth-and-short plays no matter what anyone thinks of that review, but the Eagles’ tush-push is in a category by itself.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Smith has said politics played no part in his decisions and the evidence his team gathered was sufficient for Trump to have been convicted at trial on charges of scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scheme
Articles Related to scheme
Dictionary Entries Near scheme
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scheme
1 of 2 noun1
: a pictorial sketch or outline
2
: a brief statement in an outline, table, or list
3
: a plan or program of action
a new scheme for better insurance coverage
especially
: a sly or secret one
a scheme to seize control of the territory
4
: a regular or organized design, arrangement, or pattern
the color scheme of a room
your whole scheme of life
scheme
2 of 2 verb
schemed; scheming
1
: to form a scheme for
2
: to form plans
especially
: to engage in a plot
schemer
noun
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